One Mistake Too Many? Nitin Gadkari Announces Graded Point System for Indian Driving Licences to Curb Road Fatalities
New Delhi, February 27, 2026 – Your driving licence in India is about to become a “report card” of your road behavior, and too many “red marks” could soon mean a permanent ban from the steering wheel.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, has officially announced the rollout of a graded point system for driving licences in India. Speaking at the 3rd National Conclave on Road Safety (CII), Gadkari emphasized that the move is designed to instill a sense of “fear and respect for the law” in a country that witnesses over 1.8 lakh road fatalities annually.
How the New Graded Point System Works
The India driving license point system 2026 operates on a demerit-based logic. Instead of just paying a one-time fine and moving on, every traffic violation will now result in points being deducted from a digital ledger linked to your licence.
According to the Nitin Gadkari driving license update, the mechanism is straightforward:
- Point Deduction: Offences like overspeeding, wrong-side driving, and mobile phone usage will trigger an immediate deduction of points.
- The 12-Point Threshold: Reports suggest that hitting a cumulative total of 12 demerit points within a three-year window will lead to an automatic driving license suspension for one year.
- The “5-Challan” Rule: Under the new traffic rules India demerit points framework, any driver caught for five or more violations within a single year faces immediate suspension, regardless of the point total.
Suspension vs. Permanent Cancellation: Knowing the Limits
The Ministry is making it clear that repeat offenders will no longer be tolerated.
- Temporary Suspension: A first-time breach of the point limit will result in a six-month to one-year suspension. During this period, the driver must often undergo mandatory road safety training or re-testing.
- Permanent Cancellation: If a driver continues to violate rules after their initial suspension is lifted, the authorities will move for the permanent cancellation of driving license rules, effectively banning the individual from driving in India for life.
PM RAHAT Scheme: A Safety Net for the “Golden Hour”
While the point system focuses on prevention, the government is also strengthening post-crash care. Gadkari highlighted the PM RAHAT scheme (Road Accident Victim Hospitalization and Assured Treatment), which provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for accident victims.
This initiative ensures that the “Golden Hour”, the critical first 60 minutes after an accident, is utilized to save lives without the delay of financial or legal formalities. The government has already identified 100 high-fatality districts for targeted engineering fixes and will “name and shame” states that fail to reduce their accident rates.
How to Check Your Driving Licence Points
As the Motor Vehicle Act 2026 amendments take effect, Indian drivers are encouraged to use the Parivahan portal to check driving license points India online. Keeping your record at zero is no longer just about avoiding fines, it is now the only way to ensure you keep your right to drive.
With over 72% of road victims belonging to the 18–45 age group, this road safety conclave 2026 update serves as a final warning: the era of “pay-and-forget” traffic fines is officially over.
